Hat-display rack



1936- J. REICHERT I 1,747,951

HAT DISPLAY RACK Filed Sept. 12.. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 55 ,Z 'ydl. J7 M 33 Feb. 18, 1930. J. REICHERT HAT DISPLAY RACK Filed Sept. .12. 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet "2 Patented Fen. 1a, 1930 JOHN REICHERT, OF RACINE, WISCONSIN HAT-DISPLAY RACK Application filed'september 12, 1928. Serial No. 305,524.

This invention relates to certain improvements in hat display racks; and the nature and objectsof the invention will be readily recognized and understood by-those skilled 3 5 in the art'inthe light of the following ex- 'planation anddetailed description of the ac- I companying drawings illustrating what I at s'ions o-f my invention from among present consider and believe to be the preferred embodlments or mechanical expresvarious other forms, arrangements, combinations and constructions of'which the invention is capablewithin the spirit and the scope thereof.

Theracks with which the invention is primarily and mainly concerned, are those of the so-called tree types-employed for displaying hats and such like articles in stores, Show rooms, and other placesof display, al-

though the inventionis not restricted to such types of racks, onto the objects and articles which it may be desired to mount and display thereon. With such racks among the important considerations are thefloor and room space occupied by a rack in use, the

number of articleswhich the rack will hold and efiiciently display, and the appearance of the rack. I

A general object of the invention, is, there- .fore,"to provide 'a rack which 'is so designed and arranged as to occupy a minimum of floor and room space, yet which will enable a relatively large number of articles to be mounted thereon and efiiciently displayed thereby without obstruction by structure of the rack or interference between and obstruction by adjacent articles being displayed on the rack,

7 present a and further to provide such a rack which will in use. I Another object of the vide a. rack of the so-called tree type, which is constructed ofmetal, and so designed as to permit of the utilization of standard or cial parts and fittings,

stock metal materials'with a minimum of speto thereby secure a rack design and construction of strengthand durability, but of relatively simple construction, easily manufactured and of comparatively low cost.

Anoth'erobjectof the invention the propleasing" and attractive appearance invention is to provision of an improved design and construcof the rack structure on and to the base made possible.

A further object .of the invention is to provide a mechanically simple but eflicient design of hat supporting arm and mounting therefor on the rack standard or mast, so that such arms are mounted staggered relation to enable the use of a maximum number of such supports for a given mast or standard length without interference therebetween.

Another object of the invention is to provide a rack design and construction such that the rack can be readily and quickly assembled or set-up for use, and can be quickly disassembled for shipment or storage.

With theforegoing general objects, and certain other objects and results in view which will be readily recognized from the following explanation, the invention consists in certain novel features in construction and in combinations and arrangements of parts, as will be fully and particularly referred to and specified hereinafter.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, in which similar reference characters refer to corresponding parts throughout the sev eral figures thereof:

Fig. 1, is a view in side elevation of a hat display rack embodying the several features of the invention.

Fig. 2, is a view in horizontal section through the rack mast taken on line 22, of Fig. 1, and showing the supporting base and a supporting arm unit in top plan. 7

Fig. 3, is a horizontal section through the rack masttaken on the line 3-3, of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4, isan enlarged detail transverse section through the rack mast showing the hub of a supporting arm unit in top plan and the mounting of the supporting arms thereon.

in vertically Fig. 7, is a vertical section through the base and mast mounting thereon, taken on the line 77, of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8, is a'vertical sectionsimilar to Fig. 7, but taken at right angles thereto, on the line 88, of Fig. 7. V

The form and embodiment of hat display rack of the invention disclosed in the accompanying drawings by way of present the several features of the invention, is of the so-called tree type, andincludes the supporting base structure 10 having the vertical standard or mast 2O fixed thereon and carrying the series of hat supporting and displaying members orarms mounted in vertically spaced relation extending radially therefrom. I i

The supporting base structure 10 includes the channel bars 11 and 12, each centrally arched and terminating at its opposite ends in the feet 1 1. These foot forming bars 11 and 12 of the base 10 are disposed in crossed relation, in the present instance at substantially right angles to each other, with their channels facing and opening upwardly, and with the bar 12 mounted extending over and across the bar 11. A foot forming bar securing and mast carrying member 15 is provided for mounting on and across the crossed intermediate sections of bars 11 and 12, to secure and maintain these foot forming bars in rigid fixed relation and position. In the particular form of themember 15 as here shown, it comprises the central upwardly extended mast receiving socket portion 16, with the depending central bossor lug 17 (see F1gs.7 and 8) fitting down into and engaging the channel of the upperchannel bar 12. A

suitable securing member, such as the machine screw 18, is extended upwardly through the crossed channel bars 11 and 12,.below and in line with the central depending boss or lug 17, and is threaded upwardly into such lug 17, to tightly bind and secure the bars 11 ,and 12 togetherclamped between screw 18 and member15.

The member 15 is provided and formed with the diametrically opposite pairs of radially extending and depending fingers 19 and 19, respectively. The oppositelalined fingers 19 are of greater 'lengthand depend below fingers 19, for engaging and fitting into the channel of bar 11, while the shorter, opposite. and alined fingers 19fit into and engage the channel of the upper bar 12, as will be-clear by reference to Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings in particular. By this construction and arran ement the fin ers 19 and 19 engaging and fitting into the channels of bars 11 and 12, respectively, rigidly secure and lock these foot forming bars in position against lateral or. twisting movements relative to each other, or around securing member 18 as an axis, such rigid locking being aided by the depending central an example to boss or lug 17 which fits between and engages the opposite side walls of the channel on the upper side of bar 12. The bars 11 and 12 are securely clamped and held against separating movements by the member 15 and the a,

single fastening or securing element or screw 18. NVhile the invention is not so limited, it is preferredto utilize standard or stock materials and sizes of channel irons or bars in forming the bars 11 and 12 of the base structure 10, such standard or stock chan-- 8O nel bars being readilyobtainable and comparatively inexepensive. The base structure 10 described above supports and mounts the rack structure which includes the vertical standard or mast 20.;

In the example hereof mast 20 is formed of a length of suitable metal tubing, such as the readily obtainable standard metal gas piping or the like of relatively low cost. The

standard or mast 20 isiexternally threaded at one end to form a screw fit with the internally threaded socket member 16 of the bar securing member 15 of base structure 10, and is secured in such socket member 16 extending vertically from anddisposed trally or axially. of the base structure. The upper end of mast 20 is preferably provided with any suitable decorative element, such as the ball member 21 shown in Fig. 1, and

slotted to'receive and holdany suitablelegend bearing plate or card 22. The mounting of the standard or mast 20 is clearly shown Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings taken in connection with Fig. 1.

A series of hat supporting and displaying members or arms 30 are mounted in vertically spaced units or clusters on mast 20.

Each armunit or cluster comprises a hub member 31 adjustably secured to the standard 20 by set screws or the like 32, referring 1 now toFigs. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings, and

the pairs of diametrically opposite arms 30.

The hubs 31 are each formed with thepairs of diametrically opposite vertical ribs or radial projections 33 disposed longitudinally thereof, and terminating at their upper outer sides in the vertically disposed spaced lugs or fingers 34, respectively. Spaced inwardly from each of the pairs of lugs or fingers 34; and disposed on a line intermediate such lugs, the hub 31 is formed with a verticalbore-35 therethrough, as shown particularlyby Fig. 6 of the drawings. The series of hubs 31, so

formed, mounted atspaced intervals along standard or mast 20, at t ie' desired distances apartto secure the required spacing and clearance between hatsupporting arms 30, with the hubs so arranged that the ribs or projections3l thereof are disposed intermediatecen- 95 ing base structure insures great strength respectively,

or staggered with the ribs 34 of adjacent hubs, as shown in F ig. 1. The hat displaying and supporting arms .30

each comprise, or are formed, in the specific instance here shown, of a length of wire, rod, or the like material, bent or otherwise formed, to provide the vertical'or depending end 36 a (see Fig. 6), the horizontally disposed arm 37, and the upwardly extending vertically disposed portion or leg 38 terminating in the laterally extended, horizontally disposed loop movement and the depending end 36 inhub bore 35retains the arm member 30 in mounted positicnagainst displacement, but permits of the ready removal of an arm member from the hub when desired.

The series of vertically spaced hubs 31 relatively arranged on the rack standard or mast 20 as described, each supports and mounts four of the hat displaying arm members 30 in the example hereof, although the invention is not limited to any particular 1 number, as itwill readily appear that any vdesirednumber can be e ployed by merely providing the required number of hub bores 35 35 and spaced finger-s34 to mount the arm members. The arm members 30 in the rack here illustrated are mounted on each hub member, therefor, in diametrically opposite pairs, and due to the hereinbefore described relative mounting of adjacent hub members 31, the armmembers 30 of each hub 31 are staggered or lie disposed between or intermediate the arms of the adjacent hub memlength,

. bers,respectively, as shown clearly by Fig. 1

of the drawings. In this manner, interference between arm members30 and the hats nated, and it is possible to display a maximum number of articles for a given rack mast in an efficient manner.

The metal rack of the form illustrated and described as an example of the invention, is

of pleasing and attractive appearance me-- chanically and structurally simple and rela tively inexpensiveto manufacture, yet prefloor and room space while permitting of the display in an efficient manner of a relatively large number. of hats or other articles. The

of the arrangement of mast carried supportcrossed foot formingbars, a

with one bar extended ing and display arms 30 materially aids in the location ofthe weight along and in proximity tothe verticalaxis of the entire rack structure, which together with the rigid base structure and the arrangement thereof by'which forces ar'eevenly distributed thereto, permits of the application of relatively large lateral forces to the rack with minimum possibility of upsetting or displacing the rack from upcrossed foot forming channel bars having the; j I channels on their upper sides, a member securing said bars together at their point of crossing, and said member engaged and-fitting intothe channels of said bars, respectively, at opposite sides thereof to maintain the bars against lateral movement.

2. In a rack, a base structure comprising,

member clamping said bars together at their point of crossing, their upper sides adjacent and at opposite sides of said member, and means carried by said member engaging the upper side depressions in said bars at opposite sides of the member to maintain the bars against lateral movement. I

3. In a rack, a supporting base comprising crossed foot forming channel bars having the channels on their upper sides, a member fitting over said bars at their point of crossing,

a securing member extending upwardly through the crossed bars and secured tosaid member to clamp the bars and member together, and projections on said member fitting into the channels of said bars to maintain 1 1- I I the bars against relative lateral movement. supported and displayed thereon is Bllml- 4. In a rack, a base structure comprising, centrally archedchannel bars having their opposite ends providing supporting feet, said bars crossed at their centrally arched portions over and across the other and having their channels disposed upwardly, a clamping and securing member mounted er or the crossed central portions of the bars and fitting into the channel of'the sents, a rack which occup es a minimum of upper bar at the? point of crossing with the bar therebelow, a securing screwextending upwardly through the crossed bars into and engaging the said member to clamp the bars together, and said member formed with pairs of opposite radial projections depending therefrom engaging and fitting into the channels of said bars, respectively, to maintain the bars against lateral movement.

5. In a rack, a supporting base structure do not desire to limit said bars formed with depressions on includingcrossed foot forming bars, a securing and clamping member mounted over said bars at their point of crossing, lateral projections on said member: above and'in ver tical alinement with said bars, respectively, at opposite sides of the member, and said projections engaging the bars to maintain the same against relative lateral movements.

6. In a rack, a vertical standard, a hub member thereon, said hub member formed with vertical bores therethrough, spaced vertical projections on its upper side spaced out wardly from each bore, respectively, and article displaying arms each formed with a horizontally disposed portionhaving a depending end, said arms mounted on the hub with the depending ends in said bores and the horizontally disposed portions between the adjacent spaced projections, respectively.

7 In a rack including a vertical standard, a hub member on said standard having a vertical bore opening through the upper side thereof, spaced vertical projections from the upper side of said hubmember spaced outwardly from the bore with the latter disposed on a line intermediate the projections, and an article displaying arm formed of a length of wire material to provide a horizontal portion terminating at one end in a depending vertical portion and at the opposite end in an upwardly extending article receiving and supporting portion, said arm mounted on the hub member with the depending end portion fitted in the vertical hub bore and the horizontal portion extending outwardly from the hub and disposed between said spacedproj ections.

8. A supporting basestructure comprising, crossed foot-forming bars, a clamping member mounted on said bars over their point of crossing, a fastening member extending through said bars at their point of crossing and connected to said clamping member to fasten and secure the crossed bars together, and projections 'on said clamping member above each bar in the vertical plane thereof and engaging each bar at opposite sides of the clamping member to maintain the bars in position against relative lateral movements.

9. A supporting base structure comprising,

crossed foot forming bars, a member mounted over and clamping said bars together at their point of crossing, and projections from said member engaging each bar at opposite sides of and spaced from the point of crossing of the bars to maintain the crossed bars in position against relative lateral movements.-

Signed at Racine, county of Racine ,xStatet of Wisconsin, this 10th day of September,

JOHNBEICHERT. i I 

